Grenada's Tourism Chief to Moderate Vital Summit on Caribbean Air Travel

Petra Roach, the Chief Executive Officer of the Grenada Tourism Authority, has been selected to moderate a high-level panel discussion at the upcoming Air Connectivity Summit hosted by the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO). The session will bring together senior figures from the aviation and tourism sectors to address one of the region's most pressing economic issues: enhancing air links between the islands.

The Critical Link Between Air Travel and Tourism

For the island nations of the Caribbean, air connectivity is not just a matter of convenience; it is a critical driver of economic growth, trade, and the tourism industry. The air transport sector is responsible for a significant portion of the region's GDP and supports millions of jobs. This summit underscores the symbiotic relationship between airlines and tourism boards in sustaining the region's primary economic engine.

The discussion moderated by Roach is expected to focus on developing actionable strategies to improve both international and intra-regional air services. A robust network of flights is essential for attracting visitors and enabling the seamless movement of goods and residents throughout the Caribbean.

Addressing Regional Challenges

A key focus of the panel will be the long-standing challenges associated with intra-Caribbean air travel. Industry experts have long pointed to this as a significant constraint on regional growth. Travelers often face inefficient routes and long layovers for what should be short-haul flights, which complicates travel and increases costs.

This lack of convenient inter-island transport directly impacts the untapped potential for multi-destination tourism. By making it easier and more affordable for visitors to experience multiple islands in a single trip, the region could unlock substantial new revenue streams and provide a more diverse travel product. The panel will explore innovative solutions, from policy adjustments to new airline business models, aimed at resolving these logistical hurdles.

By facilitating this crucial conversation, the CTO aims to foster greater collaboration between governments, airlines, and tourism stakeholders to build a more resilient and interconnected Caribbean aviation landscape.

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